Caring
for your Grips
Over time the suede on the rear can become
slick from chalk buildup and packing down of the natural nap of
the suede. Use a grip brush to remove chalk buildup and to lift
the suede nap. Brush firmly across the grip (not up and down).
DO NOT BRUSH THE LINES OF STITCHING. The grip brush will cut the
thread causing the dowels to fall out or the grip structures to
be weakened.
Check your grips weekly for stretching, stitch weakness or signs
of tearing. Grips can last anywhere from several months to several
years. It depends on your size, skill level, and the type of skills
you are working. One arm giant work will greatly shorten the life
of the grip as repeated use of one particular arm (therefore one
particular grip) bearing all of the body's weight will cause that
grip to stretch rapidly. Working with a stretched grip or with
one grip longer than the other is extremely dangerous.
These grips have all been designed for maximum performance and
durability, but as with all leather products, they will wear out.
The constant stretching, body moisture, salt and drying chalk
all cause grips to wear out.
If a grip shows signs of stretching, tearing, weakened threads
or extreme slickness - suspend use of the grip immediately. It
is particularly important to check the High Bar Brip of signs
of stretching. If a High Bar Grip is too long it can lock up on
the bar and cause your wrist to break. Do the 45 to 60 degree
test often (see below, Figure 3). If the dowell is scooting to
the side, it is too long. WEARING WORN, STRETCHED, INCORRECTLY
SIZED, OR DEFECTIVE GRIPS CAN LEAD TO FAILURE OF A GRIP DURING
USE WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY INCLUDING PARALYSIS AND EVEN
DEATH.
Women's
Uneven Bar Grips
Women's uneven bar grips are worn on the
first knuckle. The hand should be able to extend almost all the
way out (Figure 2). This is the longest of all grips due to the
larger diameter of the women's rails. The imprint is worn toward
the palm. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A WOMEN'S
UNEVEN BAR GRIP BE WORN ON THE MEN'S HIGH BAR. BROKEN WRISTS WILL
RESULT FROM THE GRIP LOCKING ON THE HIGH BAR ("locking up"
is caused by the leather at the fingertip end grabbing the leather
at the palm and giving a brake-like action so that the hands stop
but the body continues to rotate).
High
Bar Grips
The
men's high bar grips are worn on the first knuckle or between
the first and second knuckle. The imprint is worn towards the
palm. With the grips on and fingers extended as much as possible
there should be a 45 to 60 degree angle formed by the fingers
and the palm (Figure 3).
This
is a crucial measurement. If the angle is greater than 60 degrees
the grips are too long and could lock up on the bar causing the
wrists to break ("locking up" is caused by the leather
at the fingertip end grabbing the leather at the palm and giving
a brake-like action so that the hands stop but the body continues
to rotate).
As you can see, the longer the grip is
the more likely it is to have the top of the grip get caught in
the bottom of the grip. The heavier the gymnast is, the more advanced
a gymnast is, and the more one arm giants a gymnast does ... the
more likely the grip is to stretch rapidly. Remember this and
order accordingly.
Ring
Grips
The men's ring grips are worn with the holes
at the first knuckle. The imprint is worn toward the palm. With
the grips on and the fingers extended as much as possible there
should be an angle of 70 to 80 degrees formed between the fingers
and the palm (Figure 4). Heavier, more advanced gymnasts will
stretch their grips more rapidly. Remember this and order accordingly.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A RING GRIP BE USED ON THE HIGH
BAR. BROKEN WRISTS CAN RESULT.
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Women's Grips 
